Codes Of Ethics As Living Documents: The Case Of The American Society For Public Administration

This article provides a framework for creating or revising a code of ethics. It discusses the classical notions of codes of ethics, conduct, and regulations, primarily based on level of abstraction. It also examines the two major issues in constructing codes as well as a series of technical challenges. This is a case study of the formal review process of ASPA’s 1994 code of ethics in 2001–2003. The history of this process is discussed, using an analytical framework. The conclusion emphasizes the virtues of having such a debate and the types of parameters necessary to maximize the value of dialogue